Steering-column for automobiles.



Patented Dec. I6, |902. H. B. BRAZIER. STEERING COLUMN FOR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application tiled Aug 13, 19029.

(No Model.,` 2 SheeIs-Sheet Iy Patented Dec. I6, i902.

H. Bf BRAZIEH.

` STEERINGCOLUMN FOR AUTOMOBILES (Application led Aug. 13, 1902.)

(No Model.)

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NITED TATES HENRY BAEToL BRAZIEE, EEHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA..

STEERINGQQLUMN FOR AUTOMOBILES.

sPEcIEIcATIoN formingfpegtef Lettere raten@ No. 716,153, aerea December 16, 1902.

. Application filed August 13,

Be it known that I, HENRY BARTOL BRA- ZIER, a citizen of the United States, residiung in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Steering-Columns for Automobiles and other Vehicles, of which the following is aspeciication.

Myinvention relates to improvements in steering-columns for automobiles;"and it consists in placing the following-namedparts within the steeringtube-viz.-, therod or tube that4 operates the alarm, thetubethat operatesthe change of speed, the tube that operates a circuit-breaker, the rod that operates the governor or a throttle-valve, and the tube that operates the lockingy mechanism employed in connection `with the drivinggears--- so that the parts above referred to may be `kept close together in orderftobe operated from substantially one point instead of being placed far apart, as is done atpresent.

It further consists of novel detailsof construction, all as will be hereinafter described and set forth.

Figure 1 represents a partial side elevation and partial Vertical section of a steering-column and its adjuncts embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a centralvertical section of the steering-column and its adj uncts. Fig: 3 represents a plan View of the steeringcolumn and a hand-wheel, connected therewith. Figs. 4 and 5 represent plan viewson a reduced scale, of the steering-column and hand-wheel, which latter is in a different position in Fig. 4 from that seen in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 represents a plan view of certain of the parts seen. in Fig. 1.

Similar `numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a tube provided with a worm 2, which meshes with a segment 3, secured to a shaft 4, which latter has secured thereonan arm 5, to which is coupled one endof a rod 6, the other end of `which isconnected with the mechanism secured to the wheels. Within the tube 1 is a tube 7, which is rigidly secured to any convenient 'point and acts as a standard for supporting certain of the parts hereinbefore referredto. Within the tube 7 is a tube 8,which is free to turn within the former and is opl9`02l. Serial No. 119,490. (No model.)

erated by a handle 9, so as to changethe speed `of and to also when desired reverse the automobile by reason of a system of clutches employed. Within the tube 8 is a tube 10,

which may turn therein and which by reason of any well-known mechanism operates the governor or the throttle-valve of the automobile. Within the tube 10 is a tube 11, which is free to turn within the former and has connected therewith a handle 12," by` means of which said rod 11 may be turned and in connection with any well-known mechanism for the purpose may operate thecircuit-breaker and change the time of the spark. The tube 10 is provided with a handle 10, Within the tube 11 is a tube or rod 13, loosely fitted therein, so that said rod or tube 13 may be raised and lowered in order to ring the bell.

It will be noted on referring t0 Figs. 3, 4, and 5 that the handle of the steering-tube 1 is in the form of a segment of a wheel 1a, so that when not in use it may be turned on the tube 1 without carrying the latter with it and placed in the position seen in Fig. 4, whereupon ample space is left between said wheel 1a and the seat 2a of an automobile. When the wheel 1 is in use, it is placed in the position seen in Fig. 5 and is locked, as hereinafter described, to the steering-tube 1.

When it is desired to place the wheel 1a in an inoperative position, the bolt 14 is raised (see Fig. 2) so that the enlarged portion 15 thereof is removed from the keyhole-shaped slot 16, whereupon the reduced portion 17 thereof may be moved in the slot 16 so as to withdraw the bolt 18 fr'om its engagement with the tube 1,it being evident that the wheel 1a may then be freely turned upon said tube 1. When it is desired to lock the wheel 1a 'and tubel together,the former is turned upon said tube 1 until the bolt 18 registers with the opening 19 in the tube 1, whereupon said bolt 18, due to the spring 20, will be caused to enter the opening 19 in the tube 1 and lock the wheel 1a and tube 1 together, so that when said wheel is turned the tube moves in unison therewith.

The bolt 18 is held in its locked position relatively to the tube 1 by the enlarged portion 15 of the bolt 14, which enters the slot 16,with which it exactly coincides. The tube 8 is provided with a pinion 21,

IOC

which engages with one or the other of two or more segments 22 and 23, which are adapted to operate clutches employed'in connection with a train of gearing, so as to permit of Various changes in the speed of an automobile and also of means for reversing the direction of the latter. It will be noted on referring to Fig. 6 that the segment 22 is provided with a locking-plate 24, which engages With a segment 25 on the tube 8, so as to prevent said segment 22 from turning on its axis 26,Whereupon the rod 27, which leads to a clutch 4mechanism for producing changes in the speed of an automobile, cannot be operated until the tube 8 is raised sufficiently to cause the segment 21 to mesh With the segment 22, it being apparent that when this is done the segment 25 is raised sufficiently to clear the locking-plate 24, and thus permit the segment 22 to be turned on its axis 26, and the segment 27 is then caused to engage with the lockingplate 28 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the segment 25 and locking-plate 24. When the segment 27 is not in engagement with the locking-plate 28 and the tube 1 is turned, it will cause the segment 21, which is in engagement with the segment 23, to turn the latter on its axis 26, and thereby operate a rod 29, which leads to a clutch mechanism for varying the speedof, alsol the mechanism for reversing, an automobile. When the tube 1 is turned and the segments 21 and 22 are in mesh with each other, the rod 27, which leads to a clutch mechanism, is operated, Whereupon changes may be made in the speed of an automobile.

The spring 30 is to counterbalance the weight of the tube 8. When the tube 10 is turned, it operates the governor or throttlevalve by means of an arm 31 and rod 32. (See more particularly Fig. 1.)

When the tube 11 is turned, it operates the circuit-breaker in the motor ofan automobile. When the rod 13 is pushed down, it operates a bell as a warning ot' danger.

It Will be noted on referring to Fig. l that v the handle 9 has loosely iitted thereon a pawl 33, whose free end 34 normally lies in the path of a stop 35, which latter prevents said handle 9 from being turned, so as to reverse the motion of an automobile, until said free end 34 is lifted beyond the stop 35, which may be done by operating the finger-piece 36, so as to turn the pawl on the handle 9. The object in providing the locking device consisting of the pawl 33 and stop 35 is to prevent an abrupt change being made when reversing the direction of motion of an automobile, it being apparent that the locking device just referred to acts also as a reminder that the speed of an automobile must be reduced or the machine brought to a stop before reversing the same.

It Will be apparent that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art which will come Within the scope of my invention, and I do not, therefore, desire to be limited in balancing the weight of the speed-controlling t,

means.

2. In a steering-column for vehicles,a steeringtube, a segment of a Wheel connected therewith,'and means for locking and releasing said segment with respect to said tube.

3. In asteering-column for vehicles,a steering-tube, a segment of a Wheel pivotally mounted thereon, and a spring-actuated lock for securing and releasing said segment with respect to said tube.

4. In a steering-column for vehicles, a steering-tube, a segment of a Wheel movably mounted thereon, a spring-actuated bolt carried by said Wheel and engaging with said column and a spring-actuated pin or bolt for locking said first-mentioned bolt in position.

5. In a steering-column for vehicles,a standard, a steering-tube, means for operating the same and a second tube suitably supported and adapted to freely turn With respect to said steering-tube, and standard, and means on said last-mentioned tube adapted to interlock or be connected with a system of clutches for controlling the speed and the reversing of the vehicle and means for counterbalancing the weight of the speed-controlling means.

6. In a steering-column for vehicles,a standard, a steering-tube around the same, speedcontrolling means, means for counterbalancing the Weight thereof, and a tube connected with the means for operating the governor of the vehicle.

7. In a steering-column for vehicles,a standard, a steering-tube,a speed-controlling tube, means for counterbalancing the Weight thereof, and a tube connected with the circuitbreaker for operating the same.

8. In a steering-column for vehicles,a standard,a steering-tube around the same, a speedcontrolling tube within said standard, means for operating the steering-tube, means for counterbalancing the Weight of the speedcontrolling tube, and a tube or rod Within said steering-tube and longitudinally movable therein and adapted to be connected with the alarm of the vehicle for sounding the same.

9. In asteering-column for vehicles,a standard, a steering-tube around the same, means for operating the same,

nected With the mechanism for varying the speed of the vehicle and means for counter- IOC IIO

a tube suitably contube.

balancing the weight of said last-mentioned 10. In a Vsteering-column for vehicles, a standard, a steering-tube around the same, means for operating said steering-tube,means connecting said tube with the steering mechanism, a tube Within said standard and con-` nected with the mechanism for varying the speed of the vehicle, a tube Within said speedtube and adapted to control the governor of the vehicle, a tube Within said governor-tube adapted to be connected with and operate a circuit-breaker and a tube Within'said circuitbreaker tube, adapted to be connected with the alarm.

11. In a steering-column for vehicles, a standard, a steering-tube around the same, means for operating said steering-tube,means connecting said tube with thesteering mechanism, a tube within said standard and connected With the mechanism for varying the speed of the vehicle, a tube Within said speedtube and adapted to control the governor of the vehicle, a tube Within said governor-tube adapted -to be connected with and operate a circuit-breaker, a tube Within said circuitbreaker tube adapted to be connected with the alarm and means for operating each of said tubes and connecting parts independently of` the other.

l2. In a device of the character named, the combination of a handle and a locking device consisting of the pawl 33, having the free end 34 and a stop 35, whereby said han-4 die is prevented from being turned until said 35 free end is lifted beyond said stop.

HENRY BARTOL 'BRAZIER Witnesses: A

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, E. HAYWARD FMRBANKS. 

